Management zone delineation using a modified watershed algorithm

Le zonage intra-parcellaire est une méthode couramment utilisée pour gérer la variabilité intra-parcellaire. Ce concept consiste à partitionner une parcelle en zones de management selon une ou plusieurs caractéristiques du sol et/ou du couvert végétal de cette parcelle. Cet article propose une méthode de zonage originale, basée sur l'utilisation d'une méthode de segmentation d'image puissante et rapide : l'algorithme de ligne de partage des eaux. Cet algorithme d'analyse d'image a été adapté aux spécificités de l'agriculture de précision. Les performances de notre méthodes ont été testées sur des cartes biophysiques haute résolution de plusieurs champs de blé situés en Bourgogne. / Site-specific management (SSM) is a common way to manage within-field variability. This concept divides fields into site-specific management zones (SSMZ) according to one or several soil or crop characteristics. This paper proposes an original methodology for SSMZ delineation which is able to manage different kinds of crop and/or soil images using a powerful segmentation tool: the watershed algorithm. This image analysis algorithm was adapted to the specific constraints of precision agriculture. The algorithm was tested on high-resolution bio-physical images of a set of fields in France.ZONAGE;PARCELLE;TELEDETECTION;BLE;SEGMENTATION D'IMAGE;AGRICULTURE DE PRECISION;FRANCE;BOURGOGNE;PRECISION AGRICULTURE;MANAGEMENT ZONES;REMOTE SENSING;IMAGE ANALYSIS;WATERSHED SEGMENTATION

Cell-penetrating nanobiosensors for pointillistic intracellular Ca 2+-transient detection

Small-molecule chemical calcium (Ca2+) indicators are invaluable tools for studying intracellular signaling pathways but have severe shortcomings for detecting local Ca2+ entry. Nanobiosensors incorporating functionalized quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as promising alternatives but their intracellular use remains a major challenge. We designed cell-penetrating FRET-based Ca2+ nanobiosensors for the detection of local Ca2+ concentration transients, using commercially available CANdot565QD as a donor and CaRuby, a custom red-emitting Ca2+ indicator, as an acceptor. With Ca2+-binding affinities covering the range of 3-20 μM, our CaRubies allow building sensors with a scalable affinity for detecting intracellular Ca2+ transients at various concentrations. To facilitate their cytoplasmic delivery, QDs were further functionalized with a small cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derived from hadrucalcin (HadUF1-11: H11), a ryanodine receptor-directed scorpion toxin identified within the venom of Hadrurus gertschi. Efficient internalization of QDs doubly functionalized with PEG5-CaRuby and H11 (in a molar ratio of 1:10:10, respectively) is demonstrated. In BHK cells expressing a N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) construct, these nanobiosensors report rapid intracellular near-membrane Ca2+ transients following agonist application when imaged by TIRF microscopy. Our work presents the elaboration of cell-penetrating FRET-based nanobiosensors and validates their function for detection of intracellular Ca2+ transients. © 2014 American Chemical Society

shoot development and non destructive determination of grapevine vitis vinifera l leaf area

A non-destructive method for determination of grapevine total leaf area is described. It is based on a highly significant correlation found between shoot leaf area and shoot length of Syrah (Vitis vinifera L.). Total leaf area per vine may be determined by using the equations described, by choosing a representative number of primary and secondary shoots and by knowing the total number of shoots of the plant considered. The equation seemed independent of vigour and terroir and reasonably sensitive to changes in leaf area that occurred independent of altered shoot length. It also allowed for recognition of compensation as a result of canopy manipulation. It would therefore be particularly useful for easy comparison of vines in different situations. A significant correlation between leaf fresh and dry mass and leaf area was also found. Dry matter partitioning, investigated to determine the relative importance of the main organs (primary and secondary shoot, leaf, cluster) during the growth period and in relation to primary shoot length, showed that the highest portion of carbon initially accumulated in the leaves, after which the primary shoot had the highest priority, followed by the clusters from veraison to harvest. Under the conditions of the experiment, secondary shoots and clusters were close in dry mass until veraison, after which berry dry mass increased significantly

Is spasticity or spastic cocontraction of the elbow flexors associated with the limitation of voluntary elbow extension in adults with acquired hemiparesis?

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Neutron tomography of ancient lead artefacts

The investigations presented here show the results of an epigraphic analysis on ancient Roman lead ingots rescued from shipwrecks along the coast of Sicily Italy by means of Neutron Tomography NT . The artefacts, including a lead horn, can be dated back to a period between the 3rd and 1st century BC. The three dimensional NT reconstructions helped the decipherment of hidden signs and partially visible details on the severely damaged objects. The findings obtained using the non destructive procedure allowed us also to reach plausible conclusions in the context of the known commercial route

Physico-chemical characterization of the Acqualadrone rostrum

The archaeological discovery of the Acqualadrone rostrum (an offensive naval weapon mounted on the prow at the waterline), off the Italian coast near Messina in 2008, has led to the need for scientific research in order to plan the conservation treatment of this artefact. The discovery is exceptional because of the presence of a wooden section from the original ship. This paper describes the physico-chemical characterization of a metallic and two wooden samples by inductively coupled plasma \u2013 optical emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma \u2013 mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 13C {1H} crosspolarization magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, gas chromatography \u2013 mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The results reveal the use of leaded bronze (Cu, 70%; Pb, 20%; Sn, 10%) in the manufacturing process of the alloy and the use of lead whose isotopic composition is referable to either Spanish or Cypriot mines. The analysis of the results relating to the wooden samples indicates their different state of preservation and, at least in some places, the spreading of caulking on the wood, probably using a vegetable resin

noeM, a novel nodulation gene involved in symbiosis with Mimosa pudica

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